GM 2006 Chevy uplander question for any mechanics

[Pitbull1052]

Alrighty so let me give the back ground on the issue just need a little advise. So this past monday I'm in the garage working and the lil lady goes to start her van up it's a 2006 Chevy uplander with 56k on it. So she starts it and I hear what sounds like a nasty valve rattle........ so I have her shut it off let it sit for a min or two check the oil it's about a quart low. So I ad the quart, she starts it up I hear the valve rattle then it goes way.

Over the next few days on start up you can still hear the rattle, but then after a few min. it goes way. So yesterday she's taking one of the girls to soccer and it just dies on her, won't start won't click turn over nothing. So she calls AAA has it towed to the house. I get home trie to start it nada, so I'm thinking maybe the alternator went out something so we throw the jumper cables on it let it sit for a min and it finally fires up but the ticking is way bad now sounds like it's coming from the head. Just didnt know if any of you mechanics have ran into this issue with an uplander. Any advise or assistance wouldnt be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

B

[Dirtyd0g]

I am familiar with the valve seal issue causing rattling and smoke on start up however I have never seen any serious damage as a result of it. I suggest ignoring your thoughts and checking the basics before condemning the engine.
Alan

[Pitbull1052]

cool it's not smoking at all just a real bad rattle I guess, think I'll pull the valve cover and start there, it sounds like it's the front bank......... thanks for the advise I'll post up the outcome.......

[tdm309]

Sounds to me like you have two seperate issures there. One being the start up problem and the other being the ticking noise.
Sounds like if you got it started with jumper cables that you may have an alternator problem. I would get it started on jumper cables and then disconnect the cables if it dies immediately you more then likely have a bad alternator. Otherwise sounds to me like a battery.

As for the ticking noise. If it goes away within a few seconds of start up I really dont think I would be to concerned about it as long as it carries good oil pressure when it is running.

[Pitbull1052]

after I got it started last night the ticking didnt go away....... maybe thinking a collapsed lifter after doing some research... and yes I agree with the alternator problem, just odd that it choose this time to go out.........

[Pitbull1052]

and it's the 3.5 I forgot to mention that